Type-writing machine.



No. 779,005. PATNNTND JAN. a, 1905.

G. H. SMITH.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 18, 1901.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

lNvENTDR HIE' TTDRNEY PATENTED JAN. 3, 1905.

G'. H. SMITH. l

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APrLIoATIoN FILED JULY 18,1901. u

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z,

M/ITNESSES UNTTED STATES Patented January 3, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. SMITH, OE SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNION TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 779,005, dated January 3, 1905.

Application iiled July 18, 1901. Serial No. 68,727.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-Triting Machines,of which the following is a speciiication.

It is well known that in most constructions of writing-machines, and especially in that type in which the type-bars are disposed in a curve in front of the platen and in which the types strike upward and rearward toward the printing-point, the types themselves occupy spaces of varying widths in the type-basket because they are disposed at dierent angles to their respective type-bars in order that all of them may strike at a common point. In this class of machines, sometimes called Hfrontstrike machines, those type-bars which are farthest from the central vertical plane passing through the printing-point of the machine occupy the most space, or else, if no substantial allowance is made for the increased space occupied by the types carried by these outer type-bars, excessive crowding of the types and type-bars results, and interference of the types in the vicinity of the basketin movingtoward and from the printing-point is inevitable. The width of the path of movement of each type in the ordinary writing-machine'iis dependent upon the position of its type-bar in the series, and those types which are at or near the ends of the series of type-bars arer Vusually disposed at such angles as to cover a of the main portions of such type-bars, as thelength of the type-body and its angular position are such as frequently to require a space equal to that occupied by three or more of the intermediate type-bars of the series.

The main object of this invention is to overcome these objectionable features and to provide a type-bar construction by means of which a greater number of radially-operating type-bars may be grouped within a given space and by which the danger of clashing or collision in the vicinity of the rest or basket during the printing and return strokes of adjacent types is avoided or reduced to the minimum. In order to prevent interference and also save the extra space required when allowance is made for the outer types of a bank of types-as, for example, in the ordinary front-strike machine-I employ a series of type-bars each one of which preferably has thereon a shiftable or pivoted type, the normal position of which is that of the plane of the working stroke of its type-bar, and which is capable of turning relatively to such typebar to a working position common to all of the types of the series when at the printing-point. It will be evident, however, that owing to the diiferent positions occupied by the various types and type-bars at one side or the other of the central vertical plane passing through the printing-point of the machine some of these types will turn through smaller angles relative to their type-bars in moving to the working point than others, those nearest such central vertical plane having the least movement and that type which lies exactly in such plane having no movement whatever relative to its type-bar.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical sectional elevation taken longitudinally and about centrally of a front-strike type -writing machine embodying my improvements and showing the parts in their normal positions. Eig. 2 is a sectional front elevation of a portion of the mechanism illustrating one of the type-bars in printing position with the type in contact with the platen. Fig. 3 is a plan of the same.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating the preferred construction of a movable or pivoted type mounted on a type-bar.

In the several views similar parts are designated by similar numerals of reference.

My present improvements are applicable to any form of type-writing machine in which the types are supported by separate carriers or type-bars; but in the construction shown they are embodied in a writing-machine of the well-known front-strike type. The framework of such a machine embodies in this case a base 1, having corner-posts 2 and a top plate 3, over which is mounted a platen 4, to which travelingY movement may be imparted in any usual manner. In this case the usual step-by-step feed movements of the platen are controlled by means of an escapement-feed mechanism operated from the keys of the keyboard, these keys, which are designated herel in by 5, being carried by the usual key-levers 6, pivoted at some suitable point, as 7, and normally held up by means of springs 8, the movements of the key-levers being transmitted from a universal bar, such as 9, through hooks 10, from which it is suspended, to the usual rocker-frame 11, the rock-shaft 12 of which supports a pair of dogs 13 and 14, controlling the intermittent partial rotations or step-by-step movements of a scape-wheel 15, secured to a short shaft mounted vin a suitable bearing 16 at the rear of the machine and carrying at its forward end a spur-pinion 17, meshing with the teeth of a rack 18, supported on a carriage 19, by which the platen 4 is carried and which serves to impart feed movements to the latter. All of these parts are of well-known construction and may be varied at will.

Except as hereinafter specified the construction and mode of operation of the type-bars of my improved writing-machine will not differ materially from present practice. The typebar may be operated from its proper key-lever by means of suitable connections--such, for example, as a short link 20, pivoted to the keylever 6 and also pivoted to the forward end of an angle-lever or bell-crank 21, mounted on a rod 22 and connected at its upper end, by means of another link 23, to the type-bar, each type-bar being designated generally by 24. The type-bars may be pivoted in any suitable manner and at any proper point on the machine; but as the latter is preferably of the front-strike type I have shown them herein carried by the usual segment 25, disposed substantially centrally and vertically of the machine, so as to permit a Working stroke of each type-bar upward and backward toward the platen 4. In the present instance each type-bar is pivoted at 26 between the arms of a hanger 27, which may be adjustably secured to the segment 25, as by means of an adjusting-screw 28. Normally the type-bars will lie in substantially horizontal positions and will be supported near their forward ends by the usual rest or basket 29.

Each type-bar and its type are so combined as to permit the type to move relatively to the path of the working stroke of such typebar regardless of the position of the latter in the basket, and this relative movement of the type will be greater or less, according as to the type-bar by which it is supported is farther from or nearer to the central Vertical plane passing through the printing-point of the machine. Each type, whatever its structure may be, will preferably be pivoted to its type-bar, near the end of the latter, in such a manner as to be capable of turning from its normal position relative to the type-bar to van angular position corresponding to that which it would occupy were the type immovable with respect to such type-bar-that is to say, while the type will occupy a different position relative to its type-bar from that which it would occupy were it integral with or immovably attached to such type-bar and, while it will preferably be disposed in such a position that its longitudinal axis will be in the same plane as that of the type-bar or in the radial plane in which the type-bar moves it will be so mounted as to be capable of turning relatively to such type-bar to that relative angular position which such fixed type ordinarily occupies in a front-strike writing-machine, so as to deliver its impression in proper alinement on the printing-line and at the front of the platen. When the type and its type-bar are combined in this manner, it will be evident that the type may, if necessary, be shifted or turned during the working stroke of the type-bar from a position in line with the latter to a position at a right angle to the printing-line of the platen, and suitable means should be employed for accomplishing this result and also for returning the type to its normal position after operation.

The types employed may in most respects be similar to those ordinarily used and will usually be plural-case types, such as 30, having upper and lower case characters thereon; but these types 30 instead of being fixed or brazed to their type-bars will be movablyk connected therewith, they being preferably -pivoted to the type-bars at the ends of the latter. The pivotal connection of each type and type-bar may be effected most advantageously by means of a long bearing, which may be connected to one of these two parts, while the journal member will of course be carried by the other. In the construction shown each type-bar has a relatively long transverse bearing 31 at the end thereof, and each type has a corresponding relatively long transverse journal portion, such as 32, disposed transversely to the faces of the character or characters on said type and preferably having its axis substantially midway of the characters on the type when the latter is IOO a plural-case one. In this construction one end of the bearing 31 rests against the cheek of a collar or flange 33 integral with the type 30, while the other end of said bearing 31 rests against the inner side of a cap-plate, such as 34, through which the journal portion 32 may project and be connected to said plate. In this instance the outer end of the journal portion 32 is of reduced diameter, as shown at 32, and is headed up or riveted to hold the cap 34 firmly in place, this construction pro- Viding a long closed bearing, which will prevent entrance of dust and insurelproper alinement of the type with respect to the type-bar by Which it is carried.

Each type Will preferably lie with major axis substantially in the plane of the type-bar by which it is supported, and some suitable device should be employed for locating it in this position. Hence each type-bar has a stop 35 projecting therefrom adjacent to the end of the bearing 31, and the face of this stop 35 is so located in the path of a corresponding stop-face 36 on the type 30 as to check the movement of the latter and hold it normally in the position shown in Fig. 4.

Suitable actuating means Will be used for shifting or turning the type relatively to its type-bar, the type-oscillating means shown herein embodying two principal devices, one of which operates to turn the type during the Working stroke of its type-bar for the purpose of bringing it into Working position With its major axis perpendicular to the printingline of the platen, While the other type-oscillating device serves to return the type to its normal position substantially in the plane of its type-bar. That type-oscillating device which serves to return each type to its normal position is carried by the type-bar and coacts directly with such type bar and its type. It is preferably a light spring-such, for example, as the helical spring 37-onc end of which is secured to the type 30, in this case to the cap 34, Which is riveted to the journal portion 32 of said type. In this construction one end of the spring 37 projects through a small hole 38 in a Wall of the bearing 3l, While the other end of the spring' is passed through a corresponding opening 39 in the cap-plate 34. The spring 37 is entirely inclosed and concealed and out of the Way of all the parts of the mechanism, and While it is light it is sufficiently strong to return the type quickly to its normal position when the type-bar begins its return stroke.

That type-oscillating device which serves to shift the type from its normal position to a position in which its major axis is perpendicular to the printing-line of the platen is preferably associated with the platen and may be a fixed member adjacent to the printingpoint. It should of course cooperate with some suitable part of each type, and hence this type-oscillating device as a Whole may be considered as comprising tyvo main parts, one of Which is an element adjacent to the printing-point of the platen and the other of which is an element carried by a type. One of these elements is a cam, andthe other is a resistant member, and preferably the cam is associated With the platen, While the resistant member is carried by the type and may be in the form of a cylindrical stud, such as 40, projecting from the type at the inner end thereof and so located as to haveits axis substantially coincident with the long axis of the type itself.

The cam just referred to, which constitutes the chief element of that type-oscillating device Which shifts the type When at the printing-point, is preferably carried by the top plate 3 of the machine and is firmly secured thereto. I have shown a bracket 41 fastened to the top plate 3 by means of a set-screw and so located that the end of the cam-face is substantially in aline perpendicular to the printing-line of the platen at the printing-point. A single cam-face is of course sufficient for the purpose of turning types located at one side of each printing-point; but as the typebars of the series are disposed on both sides of Vsuch point the cam will ordinarily be a duplex one, such as the cani-segment designated generally by 42, and hence will have two converging cam-faces, such as 43 and 44, at the ends of which there may be a type-locating guide groove or slot, (shown in dotted lines at 45 in Fig. 3.) In some respects the camfaces 43 and 44 are similar to the faces of the ordinary V-shaped type-guide; but my improved type guiding and locating device is essentially different from the ordinary guide, for the reason that its cam face or faces are so shaped and located as to be capable of turning each type about its point of connection with the type-bar by which it is carried. It Will be noticed that the Cain-faces 43 and 44 not only converge toward the type -locating guidegroove 45, as shown in Fig. 3, but that they are also defined by arcs struck from a radius substantially equal to the radius of vibration of the type itself, as Will be evident from Fig. 2. Hence when any key is struck and the corresponding type-bar isoperated to a point Where the stud 40 comes in contact with one or the other of its cam-faces 43 and 44 the remainder of the Working stroke of said typebar Will cause said stud to ride smoothly dovvn such cam-faces, and the turning of the type during such movement will be effected by a face concentric With the pivot of the type, and therefore With a minimum of friction.

When the type-bars of a Writing-machine, and especially of a front-strike Writing-machine, are provided with shiftable or pivoted types substantially in the manner herein set forth, it Will be evident that the type-bars at IOO IIO

the ends of the series or bank of type-bars may be placed closer together than in the ordinary construction, because each type will occupy a minimum amount of space, whereas in the ordinary construction the types carried by the end type-bars of the series are offset and frequently disposed at an angle of fifty degrees or more to the type-bar, and this necessitates either a much wider spacing of the type-bars at the end of the series than at the middle in order to avoid interference or results in an undue crowding of the types. Of course with types and type-bars constructed in the manner described herein those types farthest from the central vertical plane passing through the printing point will oscillate through longer arcs than thosenearer to such plane, both on the working and return strokes of the type-bars. All of the types, however, will travel in a narrow path of uniform width during their approach to and recession from the printing-point, and for this reason the type-bars may be spaced as close together at the ends otl the' series as at the center without danger of the types clashing in the vicinity of the basket. At the same time a larger number of type-bars may be employed with a segment of given radius, thus increasing the capacity of the machine.

My improvements may of course be applied as well to under-strike and top strike machines and various changes in detail oi' construction and arrangement may be made Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is#

1. The combination with a type-bar, of a type supported thereon for movement relative to the plane ofthe printing stroke of said typebar, the relative movement of the type changing the angular position of the type with rei'- erence to the plane of movement of the typebar, and means adjacent to the printing-point for effecting such relative movement of the type.

2. The combination with a type-bar, of a type pivoted thereon for movement relative to the plane of the printing stroke of said type-bar, the axis of the pivot of the type extending at an angle to the length of the bar.

3. The combination with a typebar, of a type pivoted thereon for movement about an aXis transverse to the face of the type, the pivotal center of said type being transverse to the bar.

4. The combination with a typebar, of a type pivoted thereon for movement about an aXis transverse to the face of the type and to the coacting end ot' the said type-bar7 so that the type may move in and relatively to the path of movement of the type-bar.

5. rlhe combination with a type-bar, oi" a type pivoted thereon for movement relative to the plane ofthe printing stroke of said typebar, one of said` members having a bearing and the other a coacting journal portion that extends transverse to the length of the bar.

6. The combination with a type-bar having a relatively long bearing, oi' a type having a relatively long journal portion mounted in said bearing, said bearing and journal portion extending at right angles to the length of the bar and so that the type will turn relatively to the plane oi' movement oi' the type-bar.

7. rlhe combination with a type-bar having a transverse bearing. of a type having a transverse journal portion mounted in said bearing to aiforda movement of the type on said type-bar relatively to the plane of movement thereof.

8. The combination with a type-bar having arelatively long transverse bearing, of atype having a relatively long transverse journal portion mounted in said bearing, to aord a movement of the type on said bar which changes the angular position of the type relative to the plane of movement of the bar.

9. The combinationwith a type-bar and with av type pivoted thereon for movement relative to the plane of the printing stroke of said type-bar, and the pivot of which extends transverse to the length of the bar, of means for oscillating said type on said type-bar.

10. The combination with a type-bar and -with a type pivoted thereon for movement relative to the plane of the printing stroke of said typebar,and the pivot of which is transverse to the length of the bar,of type-oscillating means on said type-bar.

11. The combination with a type-bar and with a type pivoted thereon transverse to the length oi' the bar for movement relative to the plane of the printing stroke of said type-bar, of a type-oscillating spring on said type-bar.

12. The combination with a type-bar and with a type pivoted thereon transverse to the length oi' the bar for movement relative to the plane of the printing stroke of said type-bar, one of said members having a bearing and the other a coacting journal portion, of a typeoscillating helical spring connected at one end to the type-bar and at the other end to said type.

13. The combination with a type-bar and with a type pivoted thereon for movement relative to the plane of the printing stroke of said type-bar, of a stop-face on the type, a cooperating stop on the type-bar, for limiting the movement of said type relative to said typebar.

14. The combination with a type-bar and with a type pivoted thereon for movement relative to the path of the printing stroke of said type-bar, of a stop-face in position to locate the type normally in the plane of the working stroke of said type-bar, a platen, and type-oscillating means associated with said platen.

IOO

TIO

15. The combination vvithv a type-bar, oi a type pivoted thereon for movement relative .to the plane of the printing stroke of said type- .bar, a platen, and type-oscillating means comprising a cam and a resistant member, one carried by the type and the other associated With said platen.

17. The combination with a type-bar, of a type pivoted thereon for movement relative to the plane of the printing stroke of said typebar, a platen, and a combined type-oscillating device and type-guide associated with said platen.

18. The combination with a type-bar, of a type pivoted thereon for movement relative to the path of the printing stroke of said typebar, a platen, a type-oscillating cam-face associated With said platen, and a type-locating device at tlie end of said cam-face.

19. The combination with a type-bar, of a type pivoted thereon for movement relative to the path of the printing' stroke oi' said typebar, a platen, and acombined type-oscillating device and type-guide associated With said platen and embodying a pair of converging cam-faces separated by a guide-groove.

20. The combination With a type-bar, of a type pivoted thereon for movement relative to the path of the printing stroke of said typebar, a platen, and a type-oscillating cam-segment associated with said platen and having a cam-face struck from a radius substantially equal to the radius of oscillation of the coacting portion of the type.

21. The combination with a type-bar, of a type pivoted thereon for movement relative to the path of the printing stroke of said typebar and having a cylindrical stud, a platen, and a type-oscillating device associated with said platen and coacting with said stud.

22. The combination with a type-bar, of a type pivoted thereon transverse to the length of the bar for movement relative to the plane of the printing stroke of said type-bar, and a pair of type-oscillating devices for turning said type in opposite directions.

23. The combination with a type-bar, of a type pivoted thereon for movement relative to the plane of the printing stroke of said typebar, a platen, and a pair of type-oscillating devices, one associated with said type-bar and the other With said platen for turning said type in opposite directions.

24. The combination with a type-bar and With a plural-case type pivoted thereon for movement relative to and transversely of the plane of the printing stroke of said type-bar, of a platen, and type-oscillating means associated with said platen.

25. In a type-Writing machine, the combination With a multiplicity of adjacent typebars mounted for movement toward and from a common printing-point and each having a type normally lying in the path of the printing stroke of its type-bars and pivoted to such type-bar for movement relative to such path, of a platen, and type-oscillating means for turning each of said types to a common printing position.

26. In a type-Writing machine, the combination with a multiplicity of adjacent typebars mounted for movement toward and from a common printing-point and each having a type normally lying in the path of the printing stroke of its type-bar and pivoted to such type-bar for movement relative to such path, of a platen, type-oscillating means for turning each of said types to a common printing position, and means for returning each of said types to its normal position after operation.

27. In a type-Writing machine, the combination With a multiplicity of adjacent parallel type-bars mounted for movement toward and from a common printing-point and each having a type normally lying in the path of the printing stroke of its type-bar and pivoted to such type-bar for movement relative to such path, of a platen, and type-oscillating means for turning each of said types to a common printing position.

28. The combination with a type-bar having a bearing transverse to the path of its printing stroke, of a type having a cheek in engagement with one end of said bearing and also havingatransverse jou rnal portion mounted in said bearing, a cap secured to the end of said journal portion and forming a cheek for the other end of said bearing, and a typeoscillating helical spring surrounding said journal portion and inclosed Within said bearingand connected at one 'end to the type-bar and at the other end to the type.

29. The combination with a type-bar having a bearing transverse to the path of its printing stroke, of a type having a cheek in engagement with one end of said bearing and also having atransverse journal portion mounted in said bearing, and a longitudinal cylindrical stud at the inner end of the type, a cap secured to the end of said journal portion and forming a cheek for the other end of said bearing, a type-oscillating helical spring surrounding 'said journal portion and inclosed Within said bearing and connected at one end to the type-bar and at the other end to the type, a platen, and a type-oscillating camsegment associated With said platen.

30. In a type-Writing machine, the combination With a multiplicity of adjacent typebarsmounted for movement toward and from a common printing-point and eachhaving a type normally lying in the path or' the printing stroke of its type-bar and pivoted to such type-bar for movement relative to such path, of a platen, and type-oscillating means having IOO IIO

a pair of cam-faces struck from radii substantially equal to the radius of oscillation of the coperating portion of each type.

31. The combination of a type-har, a type carried thereby and which normally lies substantially in the radial plane in which said.

33. The combination of a platen, a series of segmentally arranged type bars each carrying a plurality ot' types that normally lie substantially in the plane of movement of their associated type-bar, a single device adjacent to the platen and cooperating with all of said types for automatically changing to diiferent angular positions the different types relatively to their type-bars, and means for automatically restoring the types to their normal positions relatively to their type-bars.

Signed at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, this 16th day of July, A. D. 1901.

GEORGE H. SMITH.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM F. CALLENDER, GEORGE R. GERRALL 

